Cargo compartment organizer

ABSTRACT

A storage box for a cargo bay of a vehicle including a conveyor on which items, e.g., tools and materials, are stored. The conveyor is actuatable to move the items in a pre-selected direction, preferably toward the side or rear of the vehicle cargo bay to provide easy access to the items. In another aspect, the storage box includes fold-out shelving. The shelving includes multiple panels hinged together. A first panel is hingedly connected to an intermediate panel, which is hingedly connected to a second panel, which is pivotally connected to the storage box. The panels are operable in (a) a collapsed mode, where the panels fold substantially vertically against one another, and (b) an extended mode, where the first panel moves outwardly to a substantially vertical position and the intermediate and pivot panel pivot downward to a substantially horizontal position.

BACKGROUND

[0001] The present invention relates to toolboxes, and more particularlyto toolboxes mounted in the cargo bay of a vehicle.

[0002] Pick-up trucks and vehicles having open cargo bays are usedextensively for transporting purposes. To protect tools and materialstransported in a pick-up bed or an open cargo bay from both theft andthe elements, it is common to use a toolbox, also referred to as a“utility box,” that includes an enclosed storage space within whichitems may be stored. Most toolboxes include a door that provides accessto the storage space.

[0003] Typically, the toolboxes mount across the pick-up bed between thepick-up bed side panels, or along the side panels. These configurationsenable a user to access the toolbox door, by standing along side theside panels, rather than having to enter the pick-up bed.

[0004] Often, a toolbox includes one or more storage bins that subdividethe storage space and improve organization within the box. Most storagebins are slidably mounted on ledges or rails in the toolbox tofacilitate access to items stored under the bins.

[0005] Although conventional pick-up bed toolboxes provide a way toprotect, access and organize items stored therein, they suffer severalshortcomings. First, it is common for items stored in a toolbox to shiftin transit, particularly if the vehicle traverses a rugged constructionsite. In some cases, an item that was placed in the toolbox on one side,or the front, of the pick-up bed may shift in the toolbox to the otherside or rear of the pick-up bed. Accordingly, the user must go to theother side of the vehicle or enter the pick-up bed to retrieve the item.This can be frustrating, and usually wastes valuable work time. Second,a user may place an item in a toolbox on one side of a pick-up bed, andlater desire to retrieve the item from the other side of the pick-upbed. With a conventional toolbox, the user has no choice but to go tothe side that the item was originally placed in the toolbox to retrieveit. Third, where toolboxes are mounted in pick-ups or vehicles havingtall ride heights, a user frequently accesses and uses only the storagespace immediately adjacent the pick-up side panels because it isdifficult to reach over the side panels and access the center of thetoolbox. Thus, many times the storage capacity of the toolbox isunderutilized.

[0006] Furthermore, conventional toolbox storage bins frequently make itdifficult to store large items, e.g., large power tools, in the toolbox.Typically, the boxes must be removed from the toolbox to accommodatelarge items. Often, the bins are lost or forgotten after removal andtherefore no longer useful. Additionally, debris, such as dirt or nails,collects on the ledges or rails that support the bins, inhibits themovablility of the bins, and damages the interior of the toolbox.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The aforementioned problems are overcome in the present inventionwherein a utility or toolbox is provided that includes a conveyor. Theconveyor is mounted between opposite sides of the toolbox. An actuatorenables a user to convey items disposed in the toolbox and on theconveyor in a pre-selected direction, for example, toward the user ateither opposing ends of the toolbox.

[0008] In one embodiment, the conveyor is driven by a motor that isactivated by controls mounted near opposing sides of the toolbox.Accordingly, a user may engage the conveyor regardless of the side ofthe box at which he or she is located.

[0009] In another embodiment, the conveyor includes a belt having acontinuous tensioner to keep the belt taut. With the tension, the beltis driven with sufficient traction to withstand slippage on driverollers or drums when heavy items are disposed on the conveyor.

[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, a pick-up bed toolboxis provided that includes a fold-out shelving unit. The shelving unitincludes multiple panels hingably connected to one another. One endpanel, a “slider panel,” may be slidably mounted to the toolbox. Anopposite end panel, a “pivot panel,” is pivotally mounted to thetoolbox. An intermediate panel is mounted between the end panels. Thepanels are operable in a collapsed mode, where the panels fold-up andout of the way in the toolbox, and an extended mode, where the sliderpanel slides to a vertical position, and the intermediate panel andpivot panel fold-out to horizontal positions forming a shelf.Optionally, the slider panel includes a storage tray oriented relativeto the intermediate and pivot panels so that it does not interfere withthe folding of the panels in the collapsed mode.

[0011] The present invention provides a utility or toolbox withincreased functionality and accessibility. With the conveyor, a user mayeasily access contents of the toolbox from any side or end of thepick-up bed or cargo bay, regardless of whether the contents shifted intransit or where the contents were placed after the last use. In turn,this reduces the time spent accessing items in the toolbox. Furthermore,the improved shelving of the present invention provides on-demandsubdivision of toolbox storage space. It also easily folds out of theway, enabling a user to take full advantage of the storage space withoutremoving the shelving unit altogether from the toolbox.

[0012] These and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill be more readily understood and appreciated by reference to thedetailed description of the invention and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the toolbox of the presentinvention shown in conjunction with a pick-up bed and a foldable bedcover;

[0014]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the conveyor;

[0015]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the drive assembly of theconveyor;

[0016]FIG. 4 is an exploded view of an alternative embodiment of theconveyor;

[0017]FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the toolbox including a fold-outshelving unit in an extended configuration shown in full lines and acollapsed configuration shown in broken lines;

[0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the fold-out shelving unit inan extended configuration in full lines and a collapsed configurationshown in broken lines; and

[0019]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of thefold-out shelving unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] I. Overview

[0021] A toolbox constructed in accordance with a first embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated in the drawings and generally designated10. With reference to FIG. 1, the toolbox 10 is shown in conjunctionwith a conventional folding cargo cover 120, having a panel 122 thatopens to provide access to the interior of the toolbox. The toolboxgenerally includes a frame 20 including multiple vertical supportmembers 22 and horizontal members 24. Sides 30 and ends 32 are securedto the frame to define storage space. A conveyor 40 is mounted to theframe 20, preferably near the bottom of the frame, to form a floor ofthe toolbox 10.

[0022] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the toolbox includes a fold-outshelving unit 70 mounted in the frame 20 of the toolbox 10. The fold-outshelving 70 includes multiple panels 72, 74, 76, hinged to one anotherand extendable from a collapsed mode to an extended mode, in which theintermediate panel 72 and pivot panel 76 form a support surface on whichitems may be stored. The fold-out shelving unit 70 may installed in atoolbox with the conveyor of the present invention as desired.

[0023] In the drawings, the toolbox shown is a crossover design thatextends between the side panels 102, 104 of the pick-up bed 100.However, the present invention also is suitable for other pick-up bedtoolbox designs, including a side mount toolbox design, where thetoolbox is mounted along and parallel to one or more of the side panels,and a bed design, where the toolbox is mounted between the side panelson the bottom of the pick-up bed 106. Furthermore, although shown inconnection with a folding cargo cover 120, the present invention is wellsuited for stand-alone toolboxes including one or more doors or coversthat provide access to the interior of the toolbox. Finally, althoughthe toolbox 10 is shown mounted in a pick-up bed, it is also well suitedfor a variety of other cargo bays, for example, cargo bays in or onhybrid sport utility vehicles, vans, trailers, tractors and othervehicles.

[0024] II. Toolbox Construction and Conveyor Assembly

[0025] The toolbox and conveyor assembly of the present invention willnow be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The toolboxas shown includes a frame having multiple vertical members 22 formingthe corners of the frame 20. The vertical members 22 are connected toone another with the horizontal members 24. The vertical and horizontalmembers may be of an extruded construction including slots or holes.These slots or holes are optionally modular to enable a user to adjustthe position of the horizontal elements 24 relative to the verticalelements or vice versa or include additional shelving or accessorieswithin the toolbox 10. As shown in FIG. 1, side panels 30 and end panels32 may be joined with the vertical and/or horizontal members 22, 24, asdesired, to form an enclosed storage space within the frame.

[0026] The vertical members 22 may include feet 28 that extend from thevertical members 22. The feet 28 optionally are selectively extended andretracted from the vertical members 22 to adjust and level the framerelative to the pick-up bed bottom 106 against which the feet arepositioned. For example, the feet may include a bolt portion that isthreadably received and fixedly disposed in the vertical member 22.

[0027] The frame further includes brackets 60 that secure the frame 20to the pick-up bed 100 and prevent it from tipping or moving relative tothe pick-up bed. The brackets 60 may be secured to the frame 20 with anyconventional fasteners including bolts, screws, welds, clamps and thelike.

[0028] As shown in particular detail in FIG. 1, the frame 20 is shownmounted in a pick-up bed with the panel 122 of the folding cover 120adapted to close over the top of the frame 10 and enclose the storagespace defined within the frame. The folding cover including this panelis generally well known, and, therefore, will not be described indetail. For example, the folding cover may be constructed in accordancewith U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,635 to Steffens et al, issued Jul. 23, 2002 andentitled “Folding Cargo Bay Cover for Pickup Truck,” the disclosure ofwhich is incorporated by reference.

[0029] As will be appreciated, although shown in conjunction with afolding cover, the toolbox of the present invention may be of otherconventional pick-up bed toolbox designs. For example, the toolbox maybe a frameless, stand-alone toolbox, including extending members, or“wings,” that rest directly on the side panels 102 and/or 104 and one ormore doors that provide access to the interior of the toolbox.Additionally, the toolbox may be suspended entirely above the pick-upbed floor 106.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a conveyor assembly 40 is mounted withinthe frame. In general, the conveyor assembly 40 is mounted in the lowermost portion of the frame or toolbox 10 to form the floor thereof. Thepositioning of the conveyor assembly 40 relative to the bed 106 may beadjusted by adjusting the position of the horizontal members 24 relativeto the vertical members. As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyor assemblyincludes a belt 43 that is driven by the drive assembly 42. The belt 43and drive assembly 42 are mounted to the side rails 60 or the members 22or 24.

[0031] The belt 43 extends between opposing ends of the frame 20, and,for example, between opposite side panels 102 and 104 of the pick-up bed100. Optionally, in other toolbox designs, for example the side mountand bed designs, the conveyor may run parallel to the side panels 102,104 and/or along the bed 106, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the beltis a continuous belt that wraps around end drums 66, 67 and serpentinesthrough the drive assembly 42.

[0032] The end drums 66 and 67 are rotatably mounted to the side rails60. Adjacent the end drums 66 and 67, optional shields 68 are disposed.The shields prevent debris from passing below the belt and into thedrive assembly 42.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the belt 43 is supported between theend drums by the side rails 60 and/or the support plate 74. The siderails 60 may mount directly to the vertical members 22 of the frame 20or, alternatively, may mount to the horizontal members 24. The siderails 60 include a side rail plate 61 that extends inwardly from theside rails toward the belt. The side rail plate 61 defines a recess 62within which the support plate 74 rests and is supported. The supportplate 74 may be joined to the side rail 61 in the recess 62 with anyconventional means, e.g., adhesives, tape, welding, screwing and thelike.

[0034] The conveyor assembly 40 may further include belt guides 65 thatare disposed under the lower-most portion of the belt and hold thatportion up to prevent it from drooping below the side rails 60 or anyother portion of the toolbox or conveyor assembly as desired. Asdesired, additional motor rollers and guides may be used in connectionwith the toolbox conveyor assembly.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive assembly 42 includes a motor46 that is mounted to the side rail 60 and/or the horizontal member 24with a mounting bracket 47 using conventional fastening means. The motor46 rotates the drive gear 48, which transfers rotation to the drive belt49, the driven gear 50 and subsequently the drive roller 52. The driveroller 52 is rotatably mounted to the side rails in a conventionalmanner and rotates when driven by the motor. Upon rotation, the roller52 urges the belt 43 to scroll in a desired direction conveying articles(not shown) disposed on the belt 43 toward one of the ends of the frame20. If the motor continues to scroll the belt, one or more articles onthe belt may accumulate at the end of the frame. Optionally, the motoris reversible so that it can operate in forward and reverse modesthereby motivating the belt 43 to scroll toward either side of thepick-up bed side panels 102 or 104 or the ends of the toolbox 10, asdesired. The drive gear 48, driven gear 50 and drive belt 49 may becovered with a cover (not shown) to prevent debris from affecting thesecomponents.

[0036] The drive assembly 42 optionally includes a tension roller 54 tomaintain the belt 42 in continuous tension. The tension roller 54includes an axle 53 that mounts within slots 55 defined by the siderails 60. Tension roller springs 56 are mounted to the side rails 60with a tension roller spring screw 57. The springs 56 may be pre-biasedto pull the conveyor belt 43 wrapped around the tension roller 54 taut.The axles 53 are mounted in the slots 55 to provide slack in the belt43.

[0037] The motor 46 is preferably actuated by one or more controls 59that are mounted to the frame 20 or other components of the toolbox 10in desired locations. In one embodiment, two controls 59 are provided,with one adjacent each of the side panels 102 and 104. Optionally, thecontrols 59 may be substituted with a remote control that operates themotor via wireless communication.

[0038] An alternative construction for the toolbox conveyor assembly ofthe present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows thealternate conveyor from its underside. This alternative conveyor system140 mounts to the frame as described in the embodiment above, andincludes a continuous belt 143 mounted around drums 148. The drums arerotatably mounted on axles 148 that mount within a support pan 142. Thissupport pan 142 is further mounted to the frame 20 as in the embodimentdescribed above. A motor 44 drives drive gear 145, which in turn rotatesthe belt 141 and drives the driven drum gear 147 to rotate the drum 148.The motor operates under the same principles and is controlled by thecontrols 59 as in the embodiment described above to carry items on theconveyor belt 143 toward a user.

[0039] The construction of the conveyor assembly of the presentinvention may be further modified as desired. For example, thecontinuous belt may be replaced with a scrolling belt design where thebelt coils up on rotatable end drums disposed at opposite sides of theframe. Alternatively, the continuous belt may replace with multiplerollers.

[0040] III. Toolbox Fold-Out Shelving

[0041] The toolbox fold-out shelving of the present invention will nowbe described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5-6. The fold-outshelving unit 70 includes a slider panel 74, intermediate panel 72 and apivot panel 76. The slider panel 74 and pivot panel 76 are connected tothe intermediate panel 72 with hinges 73. The panels preferably areconstructed of extruded aluminum, however, they may be constructed ofany metal, plastic or other material as desired.

[0042] The pivot panel 76 is hingedly connected to intermediate panel 72with hinge 73, and pivotally mounted to vertical members 22, withmounting brackets 78. Preferably, the pivot panel 76 is mounted to anaxle 79 that is mounted to brackets 78. The panel 76 rotates relative tothe axle 79, brackets 78 or both. Optionally, the pivot panel 76includes an initiator spring 96 that biases against an initiator springrod 97. As shown in FIG. 6, the initiator spring is biased when thepivoting panel 76 is in a horizontal position. This bias urges the pivotpanel 76 to pivot upward. In effect, this bias initially assists a userin folding the shelving unit to a collapsed or closed configuration.

[0043] The slider panel 74 is hingedly connected to intermediate panel72 with hinge 73, and slidably mounted to the shelving guide rails 88via slide guide 80. Although referred to herein as a slider panel, thepanel 74 may be free from sliding or other engagement with othercomponents of the toolbox 10, and simply fold with respect to theintermediate panel 72. With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the slide guide80 includes a guide member 81 that interfits within the shelving guiderails 88, which are joined with or defined by a horizontal member 24.The guide member 81 slides between the rails 88 to allow the fold-outshelf unit to operate as described below.

[0044] The guide member 81 of the sliding member 80 also may include amechanism to hold the shelving unit in a collapsed configuration.Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the slide guide 80 includes apost 84 on which a detent spring 82 is mounted. A pin 86 biases thedetent spring upward against the lower most guide rail (FIG. 5) when thefold-out shelf unit is in an extended position. The slide guide mayinclude a pin 86′ and a post 84′ opposite the pin 86 and post 84 so thatthe spring 82 may be mounted in reverse and the same slide guide used onthe opposite side of the shelf. When the fold-out shelf unit iscollapsed or folded into the vertical orientation (shown in broken linesin FIG. 5), the detent spring 82 biases upward to secure over the end ofthe lower most guide rail 88 and hold the unit 70 in a collapsedconfiguration.

[0045] Optionally, a stop member 90 is disposed within the guide rails88 to stop the fold-out shelving unit from extending beyond apre-selected position. Further optionally, the slide guide is modifiedto mount a holding tray 92 to the sliding panel 74. As desired, the tray92 may be deleted from the fold-out shelf unit and the slide guide 80modified accordingly. Additionally, multiple shelving units 70 may beinstalled on opposite sides of the toolbox 10 as desired to subdividethe general storage space of the toolbox and allow a user to organizehis or her tools or materials within the toolbox 10.

[0046] In operation, the fold-out shelving unit shown in FIGS. 5 and 6is held in a collapsed configuration (shown in broken lines) by thedetent spring 82. The pivot panel 76, slider panel 74 and intermediatepanel 72 are substantially vertical in this collapsed configuration andheld out of the way to provide access to the interior of the toolbox 10.To extend the fold-out shelf unit and subdivide the toolbox 10, a userpushes the slider panel 74 away from the side 32 of the toolbox.Initially, the user must push with sufficient force to coil the detentspring downward, thereby disengaging it from the lower most guide rail88. FIG. 4 shows the fold-out shelving unit 70 as it begins to unfold inan accordion-like manner. As the shelving unit is extended, the guidemember 81 of the slide guide 80 slides within the guide rails 88. Theslide guide 80 continues to slide in the guide rails 88 until thesliding panel 74 is disposed in a substantially vertical position andthe intermediate panel and pivot panel 76 are disposed in substantiallyhorizontal positions; the guide stop 90 preferably defines the point atwhich the slide guide 80 can no longer slide and the panels attain thesepositions.

[0047]FIG. 5 shows the fold-out shelving unit in a fully extendedconfiguration. Items may be stored on the intermediate and/or pivotpanels in this configuration. Preferably, the orientation of the hinges73 prevents the intermediate and pivot panels from folding downward andcollapsing.

[0048] Other configurations of hinges and panels of the shelving unitmay be substituted as desired. For example FIG. 7 illustrates analternative embodiment of the fold-out shelving unit 170 that includesmany of the same elements of the embodiment described above, includingthe pivot panel 176, the intermediate panel 172 and the slider panel174. In this embodiment, however, the slide guide 180 mounts to a tab190 extending from the slider panel 174. A slide rod 196 is secured tothe horizontal members 24 of the frame 20 with brackets 192 and 194. Theslide rod 196 interfits within a slide rod hole 182 defined by the slideguide 180. The slide guide 180 slides on the slide rod 196 allowing thefold-out shelf unit to extend and collapse as described above.

[0049] The above descriptions are those of the preferred embodiments ofthe invention. Various alterations and changes can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention asdefined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted inaccordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine ofequivalents. Any references to claim elements in the singular, forexample, using the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” or “said,” is not to beconstrued as limiting the element to the singular.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A storage box assemblyfor use in a cargo bay of a vehicle comprising: a storage box affixableto the cargo bay, the storage box including a bottom, opposite sides,and a width defined between the opposite sides; and a conveyor beltmounted in the bottom and extending substantially across the widthbetween the opposite sides, the conveyor belt conveying articlesdisposed in the storage box in a pre-selected direction toward at leastone of the opposite sides.
 2. The storage box of claim 1 comprising aconveyor belt drive and a control in communication with the belt drive,whereby a user controls the conveyor belt with the control to conveyarticles toward the user regardless of the opposite end that the user isnear.
 3. The storage box assembly of claim 1 comprising a first controlmounted near one of the opposite sides and a second control mounted nearthe other of the opposite sides, each of the first and second controlsadapted to operate the conveyor belt.
 4. The storage box assembly ofclaim 1 comprising a plurality of drums on which the conveyor belt ismounted.
 5. The storage box assembly of claim 2 wherein the conveyorbelt drive includes a motor and a drive belt, the motor adapted toscroll the drive belt in the pre-selected direction.
 6. The storage boxassembly of claim 5 wherein the motor includes a forward and reverse. 7.The storage box assembly of claim 3 wherein the first control is mountednear a first side of the vehicle cargo bay and the second control ismounted near an opposite side of the vehicle cargo bay.
 8. The storagebox assembly of claim 1 wherein the storage box includes an adjustablemounting element that adjusts a distance of the storage box from abottom of the vehicle cargo bay.
 9. The storage box assembly of claim 1wherein the storage box includes a first door mounted at a first side ofthe storage box and a second door mounted at an opposite side of thestorage box.
 10. The storage box assembly of claim 9 wherein theconveyor belt conveys articles in the storage box toward at least one ofthe first door and the second door when the conveyor belt is selectivelyactuated by a user.
 11. A vehicle utility box comprising: a frameincluding an end; means for mounting the frame to a vehicle cargo bay;and a conveyor forming a substantially continuous floor within theframe, the conveyor adapted to selectively convey articles disposed onthe conveyor toward the end whereby the conveyor accumulates thearticles at the end so that a user accesses the articles at the end. 12.The vehicle utility box of claim 11 wherein the frame extends betweenopposite sides of a vehicle cargo bay.
 13. The vehicle utility box ofclaim 12 wherein at least one door is mounted adjacent at least one ofthe sides of the vehicle cargo bay.
 14. The vehicle utility box of claim13 wherein the conveyor conveys the articles disposed thereon toward andaway from at least one door.
 15. The vehicle utility box of claim 11wherein the conveyor includes a belt and a tensioner adapted to keep thebelt taut.
 16. The vehicle utility box of claim 11 wherein the frameincludes a height adjuster to adjust the position of the conveyorrelative to the vehicle cargo bay.
 17. The vehicle utility box of claim11 comprising a motor that drives the conveyor.
 18. The vehicle utilitybox of claim 17 wherein the vehicle cargo bay is a pick-up bed includingopposing sides and the conveyor includes at least one actuator mountednear at least one of the opposing sides of the pick-up bed.
 19. Avehicle bed utility box comprising: a container; and a plurality ofpanels hingably connected to one another, including a first panelslidably connected to the container, a second panel pivotally connectedto the container, the plurality of panels operable between an extendedmode to store articles on at least one of the plurality of panels, and acollapsed mode.
 20. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 19 wherein thecontainer defines a storage area.
 21. The vehicle bed utility box ofclaim 20 wherein in the collapsed mode, the plurality of panels arestored and the storage area is accessible by a user.
 22. The vehicle bedutility box of claim 20 wherein the plurality of panels subdivide thestorage area in the extended mode.
 23. The vehicle bed utility box ofclaim 19 wherein the container includes a rail, the first panel slidablycoupled to the rail.
 24. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 19 whereinthe first panel is substantially vertical in the extended mode.
 25. Thevehicle bed utility box of claim 19 comprising a storage tray coupled tothe first panel.
 26. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 19 wherein theplurality of panels includes a third panel hinged to both the firstpanel and the second panel.
 27. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 26wherein the second and third panels are substantially horizontal in theextended mode.
 28. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 26 wherein thefirst, second and third panels are substantially vertical in thecollapsed mode.
 29. The vehicle bed utility box of claim 19 wherein thepanels fold toward one another into substantially parallel alignment inthe collapsed mode.
 30. A vehicle bed toolbox comprising: a storageportion including a side and defining a storage area; a first panel; anintermediate panel hingedly connected to the first panel; and a secondpanel hingedly connected to the intermediate panel and rotatably joinedwith the storage portion, wherein the first panel, second panel andintermediate panel fold against one another and against the side toprovide access to the storage area.
 31. The vehicle bed toolbox of claim30 wherein the first panel is slidably joined with the storage portion.32. The vehicle bed toolbox of claim 30 wherein the first panel, theintermediate panel and the second panel collapse toward one another inan accordion relation.
 33. The vehicle bed toolbox of claim 30 whereinthe first panel, the intermediate panel and the second panel areextended to an extended mode and retracted to a collapsed mode.
 34. Thevehicle bed toolbox of claim 33 wherein the first panel is substantiallyvertical, and the intermediate panel and the second panel aresubstantially horizontal in the extended mode.
 35. The vehicle bedtoolbox of claim 34 wherein the first panel, the intermediate panel andthe second panel are substantially vertical in the collapsed mode.